Harry Potter and the Legend of the Twelve

Pieces of the Puzzle

Harry wasn't sure what was going on around him. He was looking up, as if he was lying on the ground. He saw two men wielding swords, dueling. They seemed slightly fuzzy, as if he was looking through the lens of a camera that was not quite focused. He had a strange sense of calm, even though the sight before him should have been shocking. Few wizards used swords, as wands were far more effective. As he watched the fierce duel before him, he recognized one of the combatants. The snakelike red eyes were unmistakable. It was Voldemort, wielding an ebony blade. Somehow, the sense of calm over him did not vanish at this realization. As he watched the swords clang, he realized who it was who was battling Voldemort. It was Albus, at least it looked like Albus, but older. Albus was battling Voldemort with the Sword of Gryffindor. Albus swung the sword.

Just then, Harry woke up. It had been a dream. Harry sat up. Ginny was sleeping in bed next to him, curled up at his side as always. It was late, almost two o'clock in the morning.

It had been two weeks since he had carried Albus's unconscious body out of the Chamber of Secrets. Albus was still unconscious, but he knew he would be all right. He knew Fawkes and Dumbledore would not have saved his son's life, only to let him remain like that.

Harry got dressed and collected the book, 'The Prophecy of The Twelve', and all the notes Hermione had made. There were still things he didn't understand. Most shocking among them, when they went back to the book after they emerged from the chamber, the last line had changed. The words, 'as one of The Twelve falls', had vanished.

The dream Harry had just had, so similar to the one he had at Christmas, but yet different, didn't do anything to help him understand it.

Harry walked down to the Hospital Wing, and quietly pushed open the door. Albus was lying on the bed and another was pushed near it, on which Carly slept, holding his hand. Harry remembered the day so long ago, when he awoke with Ginny next to him at The Burrow. When Albus wakes up, she'll be there, thought Harry, it was a comforting thought.

As he turned to leave, he realized, someone else was there. James was sitting on the bed in the corner, staring at Albus and Carly. Harry hadn't seen him when he came in. He walked over and sat down beside him. "James, it's awfully late. Are you all right?" asked Harry softly.

"I couldn't sleep," said James flatly. He paused. "Dad, can I ask you something?"

"Always," replied Harry. He could tell something was on James mind. Harry put his arm around James shoulders.

"It wasn't fun, was it?" asked James.

"What wasn't fun?" asked Harry confusedly.

"All your adventures," said James slowly. "I thought they were so cool when you told us about them. Three headed dogs, fighting a Basilisk, defeating Dementors, fighting dragons, I always thought things like that would be fun and exciting. But now...they weren't, were they?"

"No, they weren't," said Harry softly. "I was scared to death most of the time. I got by on luck. I should have died a dozen times over. They weren't fun at all. I do understand that they seem that way, though. Living them is a lot different than hearing the stories."

"When we were in the Chamber...I wasn't excited, I was scared," said James softly. "I was scared I wouldn't be able to stop the snakes and they would get Rose and Danny. I was scared that you, Mum, Uncle Ron, Aunt Hermione, Neville, or Sirius would be hurt." James voice began to crack. "I was afraid we were going to lose Al. Then...I thought we did. It wasn't fun and it wasn't exciting...it was terrible."

Harry pulled James into his lap and hugged him tight. "It's all right, James," said Harry. "There's no shame in being scared." Harry pulled his son back and looked him in the eyes. "While you were in the Chamber, you fought bravely. I made the right choice making you the Marauders' leader. You led Rose and Danny in fighting those snakes, even though you were afraid. I would rather have someone who was smart enough to know when to be afraid behind me, than someone foolish enough not to be afraid."